Arthur Normand A rthur Normand is a senior at Allentown High School whose Eagle Scout project might be called “The Giving Tree.”
Normand, 17, created a small modern orchard at the Millstone Township Primary School that will produce fruit and become part of the curriculum.
The young man rolled up his sleeves and worked hard until he completed the project on Nov. 2. Normand said he is confident that he met his goal of providing an interesting gift to the school.
With help from family members, Normand spent more than 12 hours at the school installing two raised beds, each containing several fruit trees and berry bushes. To beautify the area, he installed a patio between the tree beds.
As a special touch, Normand refurbished a rickety faded chair that had been dedicated to a teacher, Carol Mancuso, who died in an automobile accident in 2001.
According to Normand, one of the most interesting aspects of his project was the selection of several unique trees.
“We picked the trees because they are cool,” he said. “The grower grafted five types of apples onto one tree and five types of peaches on another one.
“The third tree has five different varieties of pears. The fourth tree is like a fruit cocktail. It has been grafted to grow nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots.”
Normand said that while he was working on his Eagle Scout project, he became intrigued by talking to some members of the Allentown High School FFA and by attending Monmouth County Board of Agriculture meetings.
“I can now tell you things you would want to know about soil composition and fruit season timings,” Normand said. “I might apply this knowledge later, should I ever want to plant a garden. It could be very handy in the future.”
Normand approached business owners for donations of materials he needed. He said that was the biggest challenge he faced. He sought and obtained approval for the project from the Millstone Township K-8 School District Board of Education. Normand also received approval for his project from the Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts.
Superintendent of Schools Scott Feder said he believes the orchard will add something special for children who attend the primary school.
“Not only did a student succeed in creating this project, but it will beautify the primary school,” Feder said.
Normand said he was thankful and appreciative to receive so much support. He received approval for his project from his Scoutmaster William Rears and the Boy Scout committee that includes Jim Brockman, Bill Mayer, Robert VanErem and Cathy Duffy.
He acknowledged his family members for their support, including his mother, Amy Jacobson, who is a member of the Millstone Board of Education, and his father, Michael Normand.
“They thought the project was really cool and helped me through every step of the process,” the young man said. “We all worked long hours each weekend.”
His siblings — Emily, 15, Jacob, 10, and Gavin, 8 — were also very helpful.
“They all think it is a worthy project, he said. “They all helped.”
Normand said he has been involved in Boy Scouts since he was in the first grade.
“My brothers are following me through the Boy Scouts over the next three years. It has been a very positive experience for me,” he said.